Last week, I wrote about advancements for marriage equality that were taking place in three New England states: Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. This week, I’d like to present the further progress that’s been made in two of those states.

New Hampshire

On April 23, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2  against recommending the Senate passage of the marriage equality bill, HB436.

On April 29, despite the committee’s negative recommendation, the NH Senate passed HB436 with a vote of 13-11. The bill now heads back to the House (which narrowly passed it last month, 186-179) to be voted on again because of the amendments that the Senate made to the bill. If it passes, it goes to Governor John Lynch, who has not yet announced how he plans to act if the bill reaches his desk.

A state poll, sponsored by the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, shows that 55% of people in New Hampshire support marriage equality, while 39% are against it.

Maine

On April 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 14-11 in favor of recommending the passage of the marriage equality bill. Two days later, the Senate voted in approval of the bill, 21-14. The bill now passes to the House. Reportedly, Governor John Baldacci “has not made up his mind on gay marriage.”


~Samantha